The City is about to implement new zoning rules of either R1V2 or BMO, both of which are unfavorable for our neighborhood (South Beverlywood Adjacent/Castle Heights; see map, red section). These rules will drastically restrict our ability to renovate/expand/rebuild, and reduce our property value, without making a difference in restraining mansionization. Our area is singled out for far more restrictive rules than Beverlywood to our north and Cheviot Hills to our west. Our councilmember Paul Koretz is open to giving us the same fair rule of R1VNew as granted to them, as long as he hears from enough of us. The City will decide in early January 2017, so please sign the petition ASAP, and tell your neighbors.

Why should you care?

DRAMATICALLY LIMIT RENOVATIONS OR EXPANSIONS: The City is currently considering for us either the R1V2 or the BMO rule, both of which will reduce the living area, or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) between 45% FAR down to 35% FAR. For example, a 4200 sq. ft. lot is limited to less than 1700 sq. ft. of living space, hardly enough for three bedrooms.

THIS WILL DECREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY: Land on which you cannot build is not worth much. So when you want to sell, take out a second mortgage, or leave something valuable to your children, R1V2/BMO will reduce the value of what is probably your most important asset.

UNFAIR—ALL SURROUNDING AREAS GET BETTER RULES: For example, Beverlywood north of us, and Inner Council District 5 (Cheviot Hills) west of us, get the better R1VNew rules (55% FAR). Why should our area be singled out for harsher rules?

THIS WILL AFFECT YOU IN THE FUTURE: You might not think about expanding now, but the rules will be in place for 30 years or more. If at any time in the future you need more bedrooms for kids, take in your aging parents, or want a home office, R1V2/BMO will prohibit you.

NO IMPACT ON MANSIONIZATION PREVENTION: We are all concerned about mansionization, but whether it's R1V2/BMO or R1VNew, it will prevent huge ugly boxes — the rules for height, setbacks from neighbor properties, etc., are almost identical. The key difference is living area, which is important for the inhabitants of the house while hardly affecting the neighbors!

In summary, we are asking our Councilmember Paul Koretz to carve out our area (proposed red section in the attached map) from the Lower Council District 5 (in which we belong now) and requesting that we are allowed the same R1VNew zoning as Beverlywood and Inner Council District 5. This will allow a maximum 55% FAR for lots less than 6,000 sq. ft., and scale down in several steps, down to 45% FAR for lots 10,000 sq. ft.

By signing the petition, I am voicing my opposition to the proposed R1V2/BMO re-zoning rules, and in favor of R1VNew for the South Beverlywood Adjacent/Castle Heights neighborhood.

Who we are: We are Andy, Betty, Adam, and Michael, a group of homeowners living in the area. None of us is a developer, or has connections to developers. We just want fair and reasonable rules for the neighborhood we live in.